Beading with Wire, Chain & Leather

Whether you’re new to jewelry making or looking for some fresh ideas, Candie Cooper will give you the confidence to bead with style.

Beading with Wire, Chain & Leather is a treasure chest of information on techniques and style for both beginning and experienced bead artists. In addition to basic techniques such as crimps and loops, you'll learn to design multi-strand pieces, combine textures for unique lariat necklaces, wrap specialty beads with wire, crochet a beaded necklace, and more! You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to create distinctive bracelets and necklaces. This isn’t simply one beading class; each lesson provides you with a new technique and several design ideas. You'll love Candie Cooper's fun, personable personality combined with her clear, comprehensive instruction. Sign up today and dazzle friends and family with the handcrafted jewelry you'll be able to make right away!

Lesson plan

36:25

Lesson 1. Introduction

Meet your instructor, jewelry designer and instructor Candie Cooper, before diving into a hands-on overview of how to make your first necklace. Candie walks you through the tools and supplies you need as she demonstrates the pros and cons of various pliers and beads, crimping and stringing techniques, design ideas and ways to attach a clasp.

16:25

Lesson 2. Making Loops on Wire

Tackle wire loop techniques with Candie's engaging guidance along the way, including an open loop and a wrapped loop that create two very different aesthetics. You'll also learn how to incorporate these methods into necklaces, earrings, bracelets or any other jewelry of your choosing.

26:37

Lesson 3. Beaded Link and Jump Rings

Learn how to create beaded links and jump rings, creating a range of sophisticated looks with ease! Candie demonstrates how to create a beaded link, how to open and close your jump rings without distorting them, how to attach segments and how to work with clasps. You'll be able to use these connecting elements in just about any type of jewelry you can dream up.

15:59

Lesson 4. Multi-Strand Bracelets and Spacer Bars

Dive into a professional-looking jewelry project with Candie's expert tips as you create a multi-strand bracelet with spacer bars. This look is popular for wedding or even everyday jewelry, and can be tailored to create a gorgeous vintage-looking project. Candie helps you troubleshoot problems as she demonstrates working with memory wire to create a bangle bracelet that can be customized any way you like.

20:29

Lesson 5. Lariat Necklaces

Add even more diversity to your skills as you construct a gorgeous lariat necklace using leather and wire wrapping. Candie explains how to use glue-in or fold-over options, in addition to ways to add a sculptural sense to your projects with gunmetal chain.

18:34

Lesson 6. Wire Crochet Necklace

Explore techniques for creating a stunning wire crochet necklace with beads that pairs as well with jeans as it would with a wedding gown. Candie's close-up instruction guides you through how to crochet loops in your necklace to secure gorgeous beads, adding multiple strands if you desire and attaching the clasp securely at the end.

18:33

Lesson 7. Tassel Pendants

Discover the fun of tassels as you learn how to create your own from start to finish, creating statement necklaces or implementing this design in earrings, keychains, bracelets and more. Mix and match your materials and techniques for a more playful look, or streamline them for a more chic aesthetic. You'll be amazed by how fun it can be to create your own tassels!

25:31

Lesson 8. The Big Finish

Use your newly found skills to create a piece of jewelry that incorporates various techniques used throughout the class. Candie explains how to combine techniques for the best effect and illustrates additional methods for creating connections and finishing pieces. She ends the class by walking you through valuable design ideas, leaving you feeling inspired and empowered to create works of art from what you see every day.

"This was my first class and I love how well presented it is! Candie makes it easy to follow the pretty simple techniques to create what looks like not-so-simple jewelry pieces! She doesn't use fancy lingo, just fun and friendly teaching as if you were right there with her. I wasn't sure which jewelry class to select but I am thrilled that I chose this one. I had no idea how easy it is to create such elaborate, beautiful jewelry. The possibilities are endless with any combination of the various techniques in this class. I am off to the craft store tomorrow, the creative juices are flowing" - rufftbear841968Salem, Oregon

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Lesson plan

36:25

Lesson 1. Introduction

Meet your instructor, jewelry designer and instructor Candie Cooper, before diving into a hands-on overview of how to make your first necklace. Candie walks you through the tools and supplies you need as she demonstrates the pros and cons of various pliers and beads, crimping and stringing techniques, design ideas and ways to attach a clasp.

16:25

Lesson 2. Making Loops on Wire

Tackle wire loop techniques with Candie's engaging guidance along the way, including an open loop and a wrapped loop that create two very different aesthetics. You'll also learn how to incorporate these methods into necklaces, earrings, bracelets or any other jewelry of your choosing.

26:37

Lesson 3. Beaded Link and Jump Rings

Learn how to create beaded links and jump rings, creating a range of sophisticated looks with ease! Candie demonstrates how to create a beaded link, how to open and close your jump rings without distorting them, how to attach segments and how to work with clasps. You'll be able to use these connecting elements in just about any type of jewelry you can dream up.

15:59

Lesson 4. Multi-Strand Bracelets and Spacer Bars

Dive into a professional-looking jewelry project with Candie's expert tips as you create a multi-strand bracelet with spacer bars. This look is popular for wedding or even everyday jewelry, and can be tailored to create a gorgeous vintage-looking project. Candie helps you troubleshoot problems as she demonstrates working with memory wire to create a bangle bracelet that can be customized any way you like.

20:29

Lesson 5. Lariat Necklaces

Add even more diversity to your skills as you construct a gorgeous lariat necklace using leather and wire wrapping. Candie explains how to use glue-in or fold-over options, in addition to ways to add a sculptural sense to your projects with gunmetal chain.

18:34

Lesson 6. Wire Crochet Necklace

Explore techniques for creating a stunning wire crochet necklace with beads that pairs as well with jeans as it would with a wedding gown. Candie's close-up instruction guides you through how to crochet loops in your necklace to secure gorgeous beads, adding multiple strands if you desire and attaching the clasp securely at the end.

18:33

Lesson 7. Tassel Pendants

Discover the fun of tassels as you learn how to create your own from start to finish, creating statement necklaces or implementing this design in earrings, keychains, bracelets and more. Mix and match your materials and techniques for a more playful look, or streamline them for a more chic aesthetic. You'll be amazed by how fun it can be to create your own tassels!

25:31

Lesson 8. The Big Finish

Use your newly found skills to create a piece of jewelry that incorporates various techniques used throughout the class. Candie explains how to combine techniques for the best effect and illustrates additional methods for creating connections and finishing pieces. She ends the class by walking you through valuable design ideas, leaving you feeling inspired and empowered to create works of art from what you see every day.

The instructor

Candie Cooper, Instructor of Beading with Wire, Chain & Leather

Candie Cooper is a jewelry designer with a passion for combining unique materials and color combinations, inspired by extensive travel and her years living in China. Candie is the author of "Necklace-ology" (Lark Books 2012), "Metalworking 101 for Beaders" (Lark Books 2009), "Felted Jewelry" (Lark Books 2007), and "Designer Needle Felting" (Lark Books 2007). Candie is the host for the Public Television series "Hands On" and has appeared on "Beads, Baubles and Jewels". She also teaches creative workshops nationally for adults and children. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Art Education and Fine Arts from Purdue University. For a further peek at her creative life, please visit www.candiecooper.com.

Ratings & reviews

Class rating

(42 reviews)

Beaded Jewerey Handcrafted From My Heart <3

by 1livestro1289495405 on February 22, 2015

I like the teacher ...I would love to learn more .

I like the teacher ...I would love to learn more .

Great For Beginners

by Iza Zawadzka on February 19, 2015

Lots of good basic information, ideal for beginners, like myself. I also enjoy Candie's relaxed tutorial style. Great class to start off the jewellery making process.

Lots of good basic information, ideal for beginners, like myself. I also enjoy Candie's relaxed tutorial style. Great class to start off the jewellery making process.

The Best Jewelry Class

by galvinka on February 18, 2015

Teaches a variety of techniques. I should have bought this class first!

Teaches a variety of techniques. I should have bought this class first!

Great Class!

by Ladyv on February 8, 2015

This class is perfect for me, a beginner, to learn the basic jewelry creating techniques. It's a nice pace and clear instruction that's very easy to follow. Very pleased with this class.

This class is perfect for me, a beginner, to learn the basic jewelry creating techniques. It's a nice pace and clear instruction that's very easy to follow. Very pleased with this class.

Excellent Class

by Lawyercarolyn on January 25, 2015

Very good instructions, filming and close ups are excellent. Good basic class.

Very good instructions, filming and close ups are excellent. Good basic class.

If you're interested in jewelry but haven't had a chance to try your hand at it, this just might be the class for you! Beginner and even intermediate jewelry students will find something to love in this fun, engaging class. Jewelry designer and instructor Candie Cooper offers a warm, patient introduction to a wide variety of techniques that can take your jewelry from novice to wedding-appropriate by the end of this class!